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Light Fixtures?
This photo shows what is supposed to be a light fixture. Now, this is likely in a residential building, like a house, but it is still something that will cause a fire.
Now, let’s say that you get a call for an “odor of” or something similar that makes you check the attic. You pop open the hatch and here you have this.
Depending on your jurisdiction, what do you do? What leverage, if any, do have to correct this right away? It is a tough spot for us as firefighters and company officers.
Let us know how you would handle this and what actions you would take to correct this to the best of your level of responsibility.
Stay safe and be careful.
Thanks again to Captain Jeff Schwering from St. Louis County. Great stuff.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John Crabbe on
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Simple action for us would be to call in our fire marshal.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Probably have to twist the wires together to turn it on instead of a switch.
"Depending on your jurisdiction, what do you do"?
We could advise the homeowner/occupant about the potential fire hazard, and wait to hear the address dispatched at a later date for a house fire. Even the Fire Marshall's office would have little recourse in the matter other than notifying the company which insures the property (if there is any).
It's a sure bet that if this "fixture" is here, then there are other modifications elsewhere in the house.
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Permalink Reply by Ron King (Fire Chief) on
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This is not up to NEC for sure. But its not a light fixture. Its a attic fan made to take hot air out in the summer months. IT could have been installed better for sure.
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Permalink Reply by Jack/dt on
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I'd be less concerned about the device that I would be about the construction. Those appear to be 2 x 4 rafters, there's a water stain (black area) on the OSB (1/2"?) and the ridge board is cracked.
As to the device, it looks a hell of lot more like a fan than a light. And given its position it appears to be used to vent hot air(?) out of the building (which could be a shed).
If the device is not plugged in, it's not a hazard. The building construction issues however are. More a case of calling in the town engineer/building official which would end up covering the questionable electrical device as well.
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